In my opinion. gardening is the best way to beat the winter blues.

Winter is the time that I start seeds inside, and this year, I’ll be trying something I have wanted to do for years. I’ll be trying my hand at propagating some of my favorite mature roses. I’ll begin by propagating my tried and true rose The Fairy:

The Fairy – Jacki Kellum Gardens

I have grown The Fairy for years, and she is a true workhorse. I created the following video on April 20 of last year. As you see, my Fairy was already putting on a show in April.

In the next video, you see that my Fairy was still blooming prolifically in August:

The Fairy is disease resistant, and she is a rampant repeat bloomer. My Fairy Rose is a wonder. For that reason, I feel sure that this rose will be easy to propagate. 

How long  after I propagate The Fairy Rose before she produces roots?

• Initial Rooting: In optimal conditions (warmth and high humidity), roots can appear in as little as 10 to 14 days.
• Active Growth: By roughly 4 to 6 weeks, the cuttings should have established a strong enough root system to be transplanted into larger pots.
• Conditions for Success: Using softwood cuttings (new, flexible growth) in late spring or early summer leads to the fastest rooting times. Using rooting hormone and providing a humid environment (like a plastic bag or cover) helps speed up the process.
• Signs of Rooting: You can gently check for roots around the 3-4 week mark by giving the cuttings a light tug to feel for resistance.” Google AI

How long  after I propagate The Fairy Rose before she blooms?

“The flowering stage is a thrilling time for any gardener. Typically, the first blooms of the Fairy Rose appear about 10 to 12 weeks after planting.

“During this period, you can expect a peak flowering duration of 4 to 6 weeks, where the garden bursts into color and fragrance.

“As the Fairy Rose transitions from vegetative growth to the reproductive phase, you’ll notice significant changes. The plant shifts its energy focus, allocating more resources to flower production.

“This shift often results in reduced leaf growth, as the plant prioritizes blooming over foliage. It’s a fascinating transformation that highlights the plant’s natural life cycle. . . .

“The Fairy Rose reaches full maturity in approximately 6-8 months from seed or cutting. This relatively quick maturation period makes it an appealing choice for gardeners eager to see results.” Greg App

Peggy Martin Rose

Peggy Martin Rose – Jacki Kellum Gardens

I’ll also propagate my Peggy Martin Rose – No other rose in my garden is as prolific as Peggy Martin.

The following video shows the extent of Peggy’s growth after only 18 month of growth.

Mutablis Rose

Mutablis Rose – Image Credit Heirloom Roses

I have grown Mutablis  Roses several times. She is delightful.

Date Introduced: Before 1894

Type: China Rose
Color: Pink, Cream, and Light Yellow
Fragrance: Lightly Fragrant
Size: 4′ – 5′ The last time I grew Mutablis it grew to be about 20′ tall; It wrapped itself in wisteria and climbed up and over my back deck. Glorious Sight.
Rebloom: Continual Blooming
Has Vicious Thorns

“Mutabilis is a beautiful and unusual China Rose with a name meaning literally “liable to change.” The pointed buds open into single, 3” blooms with 5 simple petals that ebb and flow through a series of color changes. Mutabilis begins yellow aging to coppery orange, to rich pink, and ending with fiery red. With various blooms in different stages, expect Mutabilis to show off multiple colors at once. Her delicate, open blooms resemble sweet butterflies giving the garden a whimsical feel. She is an outstanding, continually blooming shrub that is vigorous and blooms early.” Heirloom Roses

Honorine de Brabant

Image Credit: Wikimedia

 

A list of other roses that I hope to soon acquire–to use as propagators: